Many people take a "low dose" (75mg - 81mg) aspirin every day as a precaution against heart attack and other coronary problems. Aspirin acts as a mild blood thinner and is typically recommended for anyone who has suffered a heart attack or stroke as part of their ongoing therapy. But does it help to prevent vascular problems in otherwise healthy people?
For most people, studies affirm that the increased risk of internal bleeding outweighs any benefit of taking a daily low dose aspirin. It is recommended to help in prevention of a second heart attack, stroke or diagnosis of peripheral artery disease. Aspirin may benefit select individuals but generally should not be considered as part of a primary prevention regimen.
Instead, keeping blood pressure under control, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, a Mediterranean or DASH diet and regular moderate exercise are by far the best strategies for reducing your risk of heart attack and stroke.
There is emerging evidence that daily low dose aspirin use may play some role in reducing the risk of colon and other digestive tract cancers, as well as reduce the recurrence of breast cancer. But these results are very preliminary and have not as yet been verified in clinical trials.
If you are presently taking low dose aspirin do not suddenly stop doing so. Instead, have a discussion with your doctor on your next visit and evaluate whether or not the risks are worth whatever benefit you hope to gain.
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